Beyond that, it's anyone's guess as to which quarterback might finish what is one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

It could be Hill, who is the healthiest of San Francisco's three quarterbacks even though he still feeling the effects of a broken and dislocated index finger on his passing hand that he hurt Nov. 15.

"If I am the guy this week, I look forward to the challenge," Hill said. "It is different being the guy all week, having to play well all week in practice. This morning when I left the apartment, it smelled a little different, to be sure. I'm more excited."

It could be Trent Dilfer if he's medically cleared to play after sustaining a concussion in Sunday's 27-7 loss to Minnesota. He was released from Stanford Hospital on Sunday night and reported to work Monday feeling the effects of the blow to the head.

"I can barely think, let alone talk," Dilfer said.

A 49ers spokesman said Dilfer "should be ready to go next week," referring to the Tampa Bay game on Dec. 23.

It could be Alex Smith, but that's looking more and more doubtful. Smith was due to speak to team doctors at Stanford late Monday afternoon and over the phone to Birmingham, Ala., orthopedist Dr. James Andrews about the condition of his separated right shoulder.

After consulting with the 49ers' team doctors and with Andrews, Smith said he expects to get a decision on whether he will need surgery on the shoulder. That decision could come this week.

"No point in dragging this on. Let's figure this out," Smith said. "It (surgery) was definitely a possibility but the goal is to avoid it, especially with how old I am (23). The goal, either way, is to get it right."

Asked who gives the 49ers the best chance to win in the short term, coach Mike Nolan said, "I would say Shaun, because he's been practicing and playing. If Alex was cleared to play, he could help you win a game ... if he got semi back in shape. He can help you win."

Nolan said whether Smith plays again this season is based on two factors: If it is in his best interests to do so and if he can help the team win. The first factor supersedes the second.

"The next most important thing is winning games," Nolan said. "If he can, he's up (active). Let's try to win a game. We have three to go and we want to win all three."

Hill, meanwhile, proved to be a revelation with his play in the second half Sunday. Playing with unexpected poise, Hill took what the defense gave him and ended up completing 22 of 27 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. After the game, his offensive teammates expressed confidence in him and said they would be comfortable going with Hill as their quarterback the rest of the season.

Hill, though, saw many flaws in his game after watching the video a day later.

"There (are) a lot of things I need to get better at," he said. "Some of that is about getting comfortable playing again. Some things made me want to throw up. Some things, the execution was poor but the results were good on my part. Some things I got away with. The results were better than my execution."

Specifically, Hill said he needs to have better posture in the pocket and be more decisive on his throws. On Monday, Hill gained a few passer-rating points and lost an interception when the league's statistics-keeper, the Elias Sports Bureau, determined that the interception for which he was charged in the third quarter when the ball slipped out of his hand was really a fumble.

Hill's adjusted passer rating for his half of work is now 106.9, higher than any one game of Smith's career and almost as high as the 2007 figures of Smith (57.2) and Dilfer (55.1) combined.

Hill has been practicing with a brace on his index finger. He may discard it this week if the finger feels better. The digit was swollen and discolored after Sunday's game.

With only one healthy quarterback on the roster as of Monday, Nolan said he and vice president of personnel Scot McCloughan will meet to discuss options at the position. Drew Olson could be activated from the practice squad. Nolan said it's better than 50-50 the 49ers will sign another quarterback this week.